Abstract: An apparatus for and method of scanning a key array (101-116) uses two or three scan lines (134 and 135 or 308, 309, and 310), thereby limiting the need for an excessive number of input/output lines of a processor (136). A separate resistor ladder (301,302, 303) is provided for each dimension of keys, including row, column, and/or matrix. A minimal number of parts is also required to implement the resistor ladder (301,302, 303). A reference conductor (311), a row conductor (312), a column conductor (313), and, if desired, a matrix conductor (314) each run under each key, such that when a different key is depressed, a unique combination of voltages appears at the scan lines (134 and 135 or 308, 309, and 310) for the resistor ladders (301, 302, 303).

Abstract: A switch automation system which activates poletop power line switches in response to signals received from a remote location. An actuator piston and cylinder assembly is mounted to a power pole in alignment with existing actuator linkage. The piston and cylinder actuator assembly is translatable in response to pressurized fluid delivered through fluid lines to the cylinder. A control unit also mounted to the power pole, and in operative association with the piston and cylinder actuator assembly, houses a source of pressurized fluid. Manual operation of the poletop switches is retained by an existing operating lever. Adjustment linkage is provided for proper positioning of the actuator assembly with the existing actuator linkage. Operating signals received by the control unit result in activation of solenoids to deliver the pressurized fluid to the cylinder. Simplicity of design and linear alignment with the existing actuator linkage allow for easy installation and operation.

Abstract: A control data transmission system controls an electronic switching system with few signal lines. Control data are split into a plurality of fixed-length bit blocks. The control data sequence number specification signals identify the fixed-length bit blocks. The control data sequence number specification signals are paired with corresponding control data signals carrying the contents of one of the fixed-length bit blocks and a control data validity specification signal for validating transmission of the control data. The control data sequence number specification signals are decoded and the contents of respective bit blocks carried by the control data signals are stored according to the decoding result and the control data validity specification signal. When the contents of the fixed-length bit blocks carried by the control data signals for one unit of control data are stored, the control data are analyzed.

Abstract: A passive transponder has a power antenna which receives a power signal and a communication antennas which receives a communication signal. An information generating circuit creates a second communication signal in response to the first communication signal and outputs the second communication signal through the communication antenna. The information generating circuit is powered by a power supply which outputs a voltage for powering the transponder in response to the power signal. The information generating circuit includes a reprogrammable EEPROM and an EEPROM interface circuit which operates on the EEPROM by retrieving and storing data in response to the instructions and data contained within the first communication signal.

Abstract: A mobile communication method is disclosed, and particularly a power of two length pseudorandom noise sequence generator is disclosed, in which a pseudorandom noise code sequence is generated to use it for a direct sequence spreading of communication signals in a spread spectrum communication system. In the PN sequence generator, a mask value and a comparison value are calculated for shifting the PN sequence output having a length of 2.sup.N as much as wanted, so that the PN sequence can be shifted as much as a predetermined value in response to the single clock signal. In order to generate a PN sequence of the desired timing, a new PN mask value is directly obtained from the current PN mask value and the offset shift value to be shifted, and at the same time, a comparison value corresponding to the mask value is obtained, whereby ultimately a PN sequence having a length of 2.sup.N after shifting the cycle as much as the desired shifting value is obtained.

Abstract: An optical service tool interface for a utility meter includes a probe (103) with a light source (115) emitting pulses of light. A first and second light receiver (113, 111) are mounted on a controller housing (102) of the meter (101). When the probe (103) is physically coupled to the meter's housing (102) the light source (115) is optically aligned with the first light receiver (113), and the second light receiver (111) is optically isolated from both the pulses of light emitted from the probe's light source (115) and any ambient light (117). A wakeup signal (215) is generated by the controller (200) dependent on the reception of pulses of light emitted by the probe (103) and received by the first light receiver (113) and optical isolation of the second receiver (111) from both the pulses of light emitted by the light source (115) and the ambient light (115). The wakeup signal (215) is used to power-on a high current consumption circuit (225) that allows the utility meter (101) to become fully functional.

Abstract: A cordless transducer/cursor having a transmitter for use in conjunction with the receiver of a digitizer tablet. The transmitter receives parallel binary signals representing the status of non-positional functions such as command button status and the pressure applied to a stylus of the transducer/cursor and converts these into a serial stream of binary data for electrostatic or electromagnetic transmission to the receiver which, in turn, converts the serial stream into a plurality of parallel binary signals consistent with those received and converted by the transmitter.

Abstract: RF communication through an RF barrier is facilitated by an RF field concentrating core that is lodged within an opening through the barrier and extends out from at least one side of the barrier. An antenna coil is wound around the core, with a capacitor connected across the coil to establish a parallel resonant circuit at the exciting frequency. The core/coil combination provides a bidirectional RF coupler for transmitting signals between opposite sides of the barrier. It is particularly useful for transponder systems in which a transponder is located within an RF-blocking enclosure, and is interrogated by an exciter/reader outside the enclosure.

Abstract: A monitoring system for an electrical power control system having a plurality of electrical components operable in electrically conductive and non-conductive states in response to command signals from a system controller. The controller is connected for receiving status signals indicative of the conductive and non-conductive states of selected ones of the electrical components. The monitoring system develops variable frequency electrical signals representative of preselected conditions of preselected ones of the electrical components, combines the variable frequency electrical signals with the status signals, and transmits the combined signals to the system controller. The system controller extracts the variable frequency electrical signals from the combined signals for determining the state of the preselected conditions.

Abstract: A sensor device is placed either underneath a key cap of a key on a keyboard or in between two keys on a keyboard so that cursor movement may be carried out from the keyboard itself. If the sensor device is placed underneath a key cap, then the key cap is a manual cursor controller. If, on the other hand, the sensor device is placed in between two keys, a joystick is used as a manual cursor controller.

Abstract: A class of switching networks is comprised of expansive logical clusters and/or dispersive logical clusters. These clusters are of low degree. The class of networks include multibutterfly networks as well as multi-Benes networks. These networks provide for fault tolerance and routing and for efficient routing. Moreover, routing is provided in a non-blocking fashion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a temperature stabilized frequency from a signal generator in a monitoring station is described. The signal generator monitors the voltage response of an RC circuit where the resistive portion is formed by a thermistor, to produce a time-dependent signal. A comparator compares the time-dependent signal to a reference voltage to determine a rise time of the voltage across the capacitor. Based upon a software timer loop, the signal generator determines a temperature range by selecting data from a look-up table based upon the rise time of the RC circuit.

Abstract: An EPROM-based crossbar switch is disclosed that provides for the programmable interconnection of logic circuitry. Circuit layout and design features reduce circuit real estate and bitline parasitic capacitances, allowing a high level of integration and faster switching speeds.

Abstract: An electronic combination lock includes a combination lock having a dial with no markings thereon. Rotation of the dial drives a generator which produces electrical pulses. The voltage pulses serves as a power source for the electronics of the lock. The lock also includes a security feature to disable the lock if the combination dial is stopped between dial rotations for a period of time which indicates dailing by an automatic dialer.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of self-calibration for computer display cursor positioning devices imbedded within a computer keyboard key (sometimes referred to herein as a "key-type mouse") or other pointing device. A plurality of Force Sensitive Resistor grids ("FSRs") or other pressure sensitive sensors are used to detect relative pressure applied in various directions to a predetermined key of a computer keyboard. An RC circuit is used to indirectly read the values of the FSRs. A predetermined delay period is associated with each sensor followed by a measurement period. The resistance of the FSR is related to the measurement period taken to reach a given voltage value after the predetermined delay period. A positive or negative offset to the predetermined delay period adjusts the time necessary for the RC circuit to reach a predetermined bias voltage value.

Abstract: A smart structure comprising a rotatable shaft, and a sensor integrated with the shaft, a resonant detector circuit integrated with the structure for detecting a sensor output, and an external exciter circuit; the detector circuit having first coil means and the exciter circuit having second coil means magnetically coupled to the first coil means when aligned across a gap; and control means exterior the shaft for producing an output that corresponds to the sensor output compensated for the gap.

Abstract: An instrument system provides compensation for signal processing errors by processing both sensor signals and reference signals in a common signal processor. Reference signals may be provided which enable zero compensation, gain compensation, or both. The system outputs compensated signals to a two wire signal loop in either analog or digital form, and selects the form of output signal in accordance with digital input signals received from the signal wires. The system may be embodied as a radio frequency admittance instrument system for monitoring the condition of materials.

Abstract: A membrane switch having a rotary motion detection function comprises a flexible sheet, in which movable electrodes are formed that correspond to multiple keys, and a printed wiring board, in which fixed electrodes are formed that correspond to the movable electrodes. The flexible sheet and printed wiring board are arranged in layers so that the movable and fixed electrodes face each other with a prescribed spacing between them. When any key on the membrane switch is pressed and thus turned on, that key's signal is detected. When multiple keys are turned on in succession within a prescribed time interval, codes are sent that correspond to the direction and speed of movement of the sequence of turned-on keys. The rotary motion keys are arranged in a circle. The codes that correspond to the direction and speed of shift of the turned-on keys are preset in a microprocessor. The rotary motion keys can be arranged on the same board with other general keys to make up a remote control device.

Abstract: An inter-active key-lock system uses an unlock sequence in which messages exchanged between the key and lock include class-codes and unique-codes as parts of such messages. Dynamic indicators or labels are also stored in the lock memory for control purposes. These labels include "authorities" which indicate whether a key is able to make another key for the same lock or able to deactivate keys from use with the lock, and "parents" which indicate which parent key was used to make an additional key. The system enables an individual lock owner to code a key and control coding of additional keys on an exclusive basis, with the feature that there is no master-key and no emergency code available to the manufacturer or usable by any authorized service representative to unlock the lock.

Abstract: The invention is a method of synchronizing a digital telemetry receiver to a digital telemetry transmitter. The method includes the steps of initializing the sampling period of the receiver, measuring the detection time of each signal event detected by the receiver relative to a time window based on the sampling period, accumulating statistics representing the detection times of each of the events, and calculating a refined sampling period based on a linear regression fit of the actual detection time of each event.